Yolanda Hopkins, a standout surfer, has her sights set on making history. She feels very confident about becoming the first Portuguese woman to qualify for the sport’s global elite. This dream for 2026, she says, is “very close to becoming reality.” Just a day after she was knocked out of the Ericeira Pro, Hopkins is already looking ahead. She finished third in the Challenger Series event, which wrapped up Sunday at Praia de Ribeira d’Ilhas. The Olympian’s next stop is Saquarema, Brazil, in just four days. She plans to “do even better” there.
Hopkins spoke to the Lusa news agency, sharing her strong belief. “I showed what I am capable of,” she stated. “I belong on the Championship Tour.” That’s the top world circuit for surfing. She added, “Third place is a great spot to achieve at home.” She hopes for an even stronger performance in Brazil.
A Historic Goal Nears
The goal of being the first Portuguese woman to reach the sport’s highest level is almost within reach. She mentioned it could have happened sooner. “I spoke with my coach this morning,” Hopkins shared. “We were looking at last year’s points.” She explained that if the rules were the same as last year, she would have already qualified. “But this championship is a bit different,” she noted. Hopkins holds the second spot in the qualifying rankings for the world surfing elite, with 23,375 points. “I am quite confident,” she said. “I always wanted to be the first Portuguese woman to qualify, and it is very close to becoming reality.”
Despite her strong position, Hopkins is keeping her feet on the ground. She does not think “too far ahead.” She will only celebrate when her spot “is truly confirmed” for the Championship Tour. Other Portuguese surfers, Francisca Veselko (fourth, with 18,715 points) and Teresa Bonvalot (eighth, with 14,225 points), are also fighting for their spots. Bonvalot is currently the first surfer just outside the qualification zone.
Challenger Series Race Heats Up
There are three Challenger Series events left. Hopkins believes “the rankings are still a bit open.” She feels “pretty solidified” in the top three. France’s Tya Zebrowski leads with 28,630 points, and Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons is third with 20,325. However, Hopkins warns that “the remaining spots are a bit loose.”
The 27-year-old athlete from Vilamoura feels ready. “I’ve been ready for a long time,” she said. She also opened up about past challenges. These “setbacks along the way” kept her from reaching the top earlier. She specifically mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of her father.
Overcoming Challenges
“Something always happened,” Hopkins reflected. “I feel I was robbed of my youth during COVID-19.” She was close to qualifying for the CT that year. Then, the season stopped halfway through. Surfers went a year and a half without competing. “When we returned, the rankings were redone, they changed, and I had to fight again,” she recounted. “Two or three years ago, I was very close. But my father passed away, and that destroyed my mental performance.”
Finally, Hopkins discussed the current state of women’s surfing in Portugal. She explained why it is “much stronger” now compared to men’s surfing. “It was a complete turnaround,” she observed. “Before, we had strong men’s surfing.” But this year, especially, women’s surfing is very powerful. “I don’t know what happened,” she admitted. “But we had really good battles in the national championships.” They also went to the European championships. “We are always pushing each other,” she added, referring not only to herself, Kika (Veselko), and Teresa (Bonvalot), but also younger generations. “I think that’s what’s raising the level of women’s surfing in Portugal.”
Yolanda Hopkins hopes to follow in the footsteps of two male Portuguese surfers. Tiago Pires, the pioneer, competed on the world circuit for seven seasons, from 2008 to 2014. Frederico Morais did so for five seasons: 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2024.